New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-16
THE THEATRES.
GOSSIP OF THE WEEK.

new comic opera We are assured now that 1t will DO
In this city about the middle OF February. In
London s said that the company who have fer
many weeks rrhearscd the opera In ignorance not
only OF its name but OF the names OF the char
acters They address each other as or B-Nbich
alphabetical anonymity Is to DO kept up until within
a week of the actual production OF the piece. Mr..
Stetson. who hss purchased the New-York and New
Ems land rights of the OPERA has until lately been
almost much In the dark the veriest outsider
and for long time was not allowed to know on
what date be could count producing the work. Mr.
Steson's temper and good hrmor bore The strain, but
It is said that he showed signs last of chatting under
the weight of this mystery However by this time he
IA partner in the innocent plot and is carrying out
bis role OF chief American conspa 0r with cloak OF
impenetra5ity. Mr.. Stetson for the past week
has been in Boston and at the Fifth Avenue Theatre
Snothing OF all is known about the opera or bis
plans 1t may, however be whispered that the
models of the two requiredo" the opera Is like
most of it's foreruuners in two acts last
week on the Bothnia and with them the sketches tor
the costumes. They at once sent on to Boston.
where the scenes will be painted and the costumes
prepared under Mr.. Stetson's immediate supervision.
The first act requires seaport scene The stage Is
practically the wharf with old fashioned ships and
boats lying alongside it. The second scene is an
interior rich though simple in its construction. 1t ID
an old oak wainscoted room n an English country
bouse Tho dresses IRE OF the period of George I'LL,
aud among them are the uniforms needed for com
pany OF soldiers. These are TO be made by we'll
known Boston military tailor All the dresses will be OF
absolute correctness and fashioned as richly and
extensively may be. As TO the opera itsolf the
name is not yet known for the simple that 1t is
tyet named. The plot is necessarily not divulged,
but it Is certain that 1t includes buresque modern
Oh and ctral w
place in the last act The Fifth Avenue Theatre will
probably be closed on February Ii and 10 and
the opera produced on the night Of Wednesday, Feb
ruary 10. Miss Geraldine Ulmar and Courtice
Pounds the prma donna and leadngte OF the COM
p.uy whos Is to interpret the opera, sailed tor Eng
land yesterday to study their parts under the authors
and composers Immediate direction. The rest OF the
company will come with then their return arriving
here the first week In February
Judging from tho enormous sale of seats for the
Actors Fund Benefit the affair will be thoroughly
successful. "The performance will begn,' Said Mr..
Aronson yesterday. with the second act OF Ermine,
followed by tho Metropolitan Opera House ballet and
principal singers. Then come some recitanons by
M,ntell and others, The Double Lesson by
aud more songs and recitations" Sir. Aronson in
chatting about the extraordinary run OF Ermnle
with other Casino successes mach to It's advantage
He gave the following figures: Nanon ran tor 100
Bs egsar student for o. Prince Methusalom for
! 90, and The Gypsy Baron tor 50. How much
longer it will now, he added, cannot tell you,
hut cay that have not yet thought OF bxing
tho date OF production Of the new opera"
The short season OF Mr. De Miles railroad comedy
at tho Lyceum Theatre is pleasantly remembered by
many. Since leaving New-York the fortunes OF this
piece have above the average In all largo cities
good business has been done but the smaller places
known In theatrical slang as "one-night stands "
have proved unfsvorablo the piece The expense OF
handling much scenery and suoh peculiar CHESTS has
proved too great 10 make IL worth the managers hie
| to play for two ghts. Foe the Last two
week the authOr has been travelling Whit he company
| rehearsing an entirely second act which he has
written This will be presented tor the frat time to-
morrow night when the piece Is to Dc played az inc
Will be- materially improved by this change. MI
Mason has returned TO the company and again plays
the leading part while Miss Eo,e Willis IL seen IN
the cha, aser rhioh. it may be remembered she as
ed tow hours notice while the piece was run
ming at the Lyoeum Theatre.
| al think" said Cecil Clay yesterday, that We did
well in aging aside Tho Schoolmstress for time.
1t was never altogether suitable my wife, for it lett
OF the account some of her strongest points The
Doubls Lesson felt Of from the beginning. and
think my iud gment has proved sound. 1t is one OF
the successful characters she has so far essaycd
| WIS naturally somewhat an xous to zee how sac
would bear the exertOn OF the dancing which forms
feature the play. am glad 10 be able to tell you
! tn 40 tar tom SUFFERING. think she was all the
better Tor IT, Certainly she As not Tor long been IN
snch excellent health ~ she now Is We may chan!e
! it,
Although Love in Harness is still playing to
crowded houses Mr.. DAILY in pursuance OF his wise
policy or withdrawing his pieces before they are
played out entirely, will present this week the Shake
.pearian comedy to which auson has frequently been
made ." The Tanning OF the Screw " has never been
gwen here anything approaching It's entirety, aud
even NJ -KatheriDe and Petrucho has not been
seen tor long The Katherine OF thus production.
| T. IA needless to say. will DO Miss Rehan. while as
" Petruehiu" Mr. Drew will have part which it Is
thon ,ht will be peculiarly fitted to him On the pro-
duction itself Mr. DAILY has spent much me while the
pr, paration OF the text II Is SAID has employed his
! leisure moments Tor ayear or longer. Tho dresses
and pro perties reported to be exceedingly ella bo
rate In tho meantime the date of tho production OF
| Pneros Hobby Horse" remains undecided
! Perhaps one OF the busiest mon seen lately about
! Walacks Theatre has teen Lester Waliack himself,
who has not looked so young or so well tor several
years past H. unfortunately, the obstinate stiffness
Of his knee forbds him to act tor the present he can
at least show others how to act, and accordingly he
has been continually rehealsing tor weeks past. The
| uncxtectediy continued success OF The School for
Scandal has allowed further time tor the prepara
tiun OF the new meloirama, Harbor Lights and tho
| REVEALS which are intended to prccede It, I" The
/ kivaIs and e The Busybody" arc still beng re-
! hearsed daily Under Mr.. Waacks personal superin-
| tendrnce Tho exact date OF their production was
unsettled at noon yescrdav II Is. however to uar
bor Lirhts that cluef attention is beng paid. The
pay 1eoessita,e s besides largo speaking oalt the
| employment of a iarg, number of supernuneraries
| Including detachment OF United States marines
| peep into the darkened auIIiOrm OF the Fifth
! Avenue Theatre the other day revealed, the stage
| c,oyied with youns men and women and no less
nersonnpo than MI Waack himself. instgucting them
| I'm the to them diibcult art oil walking about the
|
| painted by Phip GOatoher. who has bal TO employ
| several assistants IN order TO gei it done IN time
! 81 think" said A. u Palmer yesterday. that my
last authors matinee decided success from
tho point OF viev with which entered into tho
scheme. intended to produce series OF plays winch
in nv Judgment had merit enough to render positive
success possible when brought before the public. No